AAI employees strike work, Delhi airport unaffected

New Delhi, Mar 12 (UNI) Airport Authority of India (AAI) employees began a non-cooperation stir against the government's decision to close the existing airports of Bangalore and Hyderabad.

However, operations at the Indira Gandhi International Airport here have been unaffected by the strike, a GMR Delhi International Airport Limited (DIAL) spokesperson said.

''Situation is normal in Delhi as operations have already been privatised. We have a backup plan and have deployed more staff for cleaning and housekeeping operations,'' he said.

The agitation began at midnight last night as the talks between the employees and the Ministry of Civil Aviation failed because of government refusing to withdraw its decision to close the airports of Bangalore and Hyderabad after the new airports become operational.

The Delhi government has promulgated the Essential Services Maintenance Act (ESMA) at the Indira Gandhi International Airport since yesterday for smooth functioning.

With nearly 15,000 workers, comprising cleaning staff, handling staff and ground duty staff on strike, unions allege the move to privatise the airports at Bangalore and Hyderabad would leave many people without jobs.